President Donald Trump criticized Pope Leo XIV, head of the Catholic Church, late Sunday in a string of posts on his platform Truth Social, escalating tensions between the two figures.
In one post, Trump called the pope “WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy,” and said he preferred the pope’s brother, Louis Prevost, who has publicly supported the president on Facebook, according to a New York Times feature story.
Trump also criticized the pope’s stance on the war in Iran after the pontiff posted on his X account that “God does not bless any conflict.”
Trump also claimed the pope’s rise to the papacy was tied to his own victory in the 2024 election.
Richard Wood, president of the Institute for Advanced Catholic Studies at USC, said he was initially stunned by the remarks and had not seen this level of tension between a president and a pope.
On further consideration, Wood said the comments align with Trump’s leadership style.
“[The pope’s] style of leadership is based on a fundamental sense of trust in God’s work in the world and a sense of security,” Wood said. “The president’s style of leadership is built on power and a deep fear.”
Wood added that the exchange raises deeper questions for Catholic voters.
“It’s a question of which style of leadership God calls us to,” he said. “For a voter who may have voted for Donald Trump, the question is whether their identity is partisan or rooted in faith.”
On Monday morning, Trump deleted an AI-generated image posted on Truth Social in which the president — wearing robes similar to those worn by Jesus — heals a sick man while onlookers watch. The image also features a large American flag, a group of flying bald eagles, paratroopers and national symbols such as the Statue of Liberty and the Lincoln Memorial.
On April 12, Trump posted an AI image appearing to depict himself as Jesus Christ on his social media platform Truth Social.
The post drew criticism from conservative figures. Conservative influencer Carmine Sabia called it “reprehensible” on X, while transgender rights critic Riley Gaines wrote that “God shall not be mocked.”
At an impromptu news conference held outside the Oval Office Monday morning, the president dismissed the backlash as “fake news” and said the image portrayed him as a doctor. He refused to apologize to the pope.
“Pope Leo said things that are wrong.” Trump said. “He was very much against what I am doing with regard to Iran.”
Church leaders responded shortly after the posts. Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, criticized Trump’s comments in a statement.
“I am disheartened that the president chose to write such disparaging words about the Holy Father.” Coakley said. “Pope Leo is not his rival; nor is the Pope a politician.”
Bishop Robert Barron, a member of Trump’s Religious Liberty Commission, also called for an apology in a post on X.
Aboard the papal plane and en route to a visit to four African countries, Pope Leo responded to the criticism, telling reporters he would continue to speak out.
“I’m not afraid of the Trump administration or of speaking out loudly about the message of the Gospel,” he said.
Some USC students said the exchange reflects broader tensions between politics and religion.
Hadley Snyder, a graduate student studying digital media management, said that the situation left her feeling conflicted.
“They’re not supposed to be rivals,” Snyder said. “The president claims that he’s a Christian man and I think the pope is just following Catholic values.” Snyder said. “It can be hard for me to continue to proudly proclaim myself as a Christian because I don’t want to be associated with Trump’s version of Christianity.”
Camille Sole, a junior studying music industry, said the pope’s comments reflect core teachings of the Church.
“I don’t think it’s political to want world peace,” Sole said. “As Catholics and as Christians, we’re called to love one another and take care of the poor and welcome everyone with open arms”.
Sole added that Trump’s remarks risk misrepresenting the faith.
“As a Catholic, you have to be educated and know that this is not what our faith stands for,” Sole said. “It can give Christianity a bad reputation, but the responsibility is to live out our faith, the best we can, and continue to spread love and light.”